Photo/Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Collection

On National Botany Day, it is impossible not to remember Graziela Maciel Barroso (1912–2003), professor and researcher who profoundly contributed to the establishment of this area of knowledge in our country, working towards the appreciation of Brazilian flora and the researchers here. In the article I wrote for the 1st Elisa Frota Pessoa Prize, I highlight her contribution specifically to promoting gender equality in Botany.

Graziela was one of the first Brazilian botanists, but she saw more and more women become her colleagues and students. I argue that this occurred because she helped open the doors of this area to more women. Firstly, because she took a public exam for the position of naturalist at the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden in the 1940s, was approved and remained in her career as a researcher.

Botanist Graziela Barroso plants a tree in the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, with colleagues.

E, também, por ter se tornado professora no ensino superior e orientadora de discentes de Mestrado e Doutorado. Tanto a posição de pesquisadora quanto a de professora e orientadora no ensino superior eram ocupadas principalmente por homens. Sua história mostra que a promoção da igualdade de gênero nas Ciências se dá a partir da entrada e da permanência de sujeitos outrora excluídos nesses campos.